The Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary has tendered his resignation to Pope Francis, having reached the age of 75. On reaching that age, it is mandatory under Canon Law for bishops to offer their resignation to Pope Francis.
https://westernpeople.ie/2021/04/21/archbishop-of-tuam-submits-resignation-to-the-vatican/
The Following is from the National Catholic Reporter Irish priests want new missal postponed Feb. 04, 2011 By Sarah MacDonald Catholic News Service Faith & Parish Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF…
Chris McDonnell writing in the Catholic Times about the crisis in which the church is mired states “First of all, we cannot expect, nor should we presume, that the bishops can achieve change by carefully chosen phrases and pious pleasantries. There must be deep and meaningful exchange with the laity, using the latter’s experience and expertise to inform and develop a satisfactory strategy. Ownership by all achieves more than the instruction from a selected group.
Secondly, we must ensure that women are allowed and encouraged to participate fully in such developments……….The singular male voice has dominated for too long and the story that has been told has been incomplete. Maybe now, at long last, change will be forced upon us and we will recognise that appreciation of the broader picture will only come when the response is from both men and women.”
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Eugene Cullen Kennedy is emeritus professor of psychology at Loyola University Chicago. In the National Catholic Reporter he comments on what motivates the catholic bishops of the U.S.A. under the leadership of Pope Francis.
“We must feel for these men trained to be one kind of bishop now searching for some way to become another. For this and other blessings already beyond counting, we may be grateful to the loving God who gave us Francis.”
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A colleague has pointed out to me on a few occasions –
“Why can’t the Vatican have the new Bishop available on the day of the incumbent’s resignation? It is simple maths/management – they have the 75th birthday of every Bishop on their files!” We have so much to learn from the secular world.
It can take up to a year and sometimes longer for an appointment which meanwhile leaves the Diocese more or less rudderless. This shows that the Vatican doesn’t value Bishops as much as Bishops seem to think the Vatican values them!!
Like the child that said to other children in the playground, “I don’t care” – seems to be the usual response of the Vatican!
And as usual – nothing will change!
Best wishes to Dr Neary, he was a safe pair of hands, saw big changes during his time in Tuam, declining vocations, priests getting older and having to work harder. Tuam has been in the news a lot of late too, he handled it as best he could. I suspect he may be left in situ for quite a while yet while his successor is chosen. Might Fintan Monaghan return to his old ground, probably too soon for Bishop Dempsey? Not an easy job being Bishop now, as well as having to boil own egg on a dark winter’s evening?
Whenever we need a new bishop in Ireland, then the Irish clergy should
select and instal him. This State gained its independence many years ago
from all foreign powers, including the temporal power of the Vatican. The
slave mentality of the Irish clergy towards the Vatican is sickening and
an enormous insult to all those who gave their very lives for the freedom
of this State.
Roy, you brought a smile to my face and brought back many great memories of a wonderful priest, now dead for some time. He was a forward thinker on Church Reform. He would sum up that kind of procrastination, by saying, “We are a “foostering church!!”